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Sagatayeva superb on Day 4 in Bucharest

June 4, 2014

The last day of the preliminaries in the EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships saw a remarkable day of boxing in Bucharest.

Altogether, 68 female boxers kept their chances to be crowned with the gold medal in the capital city of Romania, while the four winners of the Light Heavyweight class (81 kg) are guaranteed medallists in the event.

Bout of the day
Russia’s Sayana Sagatayeva competed in a national level event at the very first time just three years ago, but has impressed over the recent years.

She moved down to the Olympic Flyweight class (51 kg) this year and won the Russian National Selection Tournament.

Sagatayeva trains in a small region of the country near by the Mongolian boarder, and proved her undeniable potential at the Feliks Stamm Memorial Tournament in Warsaw where she came heartbreakingly close to defeating England’s London 2012 Olympic Champion Nicola Adams.

The 24-year-old Russian boxer met with Poland’s AIBA Women’s World Championships quarter-finalist Sandra Drabik on Day 4 in Romania, and the Polish athlete tried to stop Sagatayeva’s powerful attacks.

However, the new Russian star controlled the bout and her successful tactics was the way into the top eight in the championships.

Team of the day
Bulgaria’s EU Champion Stoyka Petrova has been a world class boxer since 2008, and she is always near to the medals in tournaments.

The 29-year-old Flyweight class (51 kg) boxer was a bronze medallist in the last edition of the continental championships, so therefore her expectations are high in Bucharest.

She edged closer to gold with a victory over Spain’s Eva Maria Fernandez in the last 16, but her next contest against England’s London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams will be a real challenge for Petrova.

AIBA Women’s World Championships bronze medallist Svetlana Kamenova Staneva fought at the Olympic Lightweight class (60 kg) last year, but following some unexpected losses she decided to move back to her original Featherweight category (57 kg).

The 24-year-old Bulgarian had never met any boxer from Azerbaijan before her bout on Day 4 in Bucharest, but she stopped her first in Mahsati Hamzayeva.

The win saw her through to the last eight, and a clash with Ireland’s Joanne Lamb.

Surprise of the day
Ingrid Egner who fights under the EUBC flag in Bucharest, has been a member of the Norwegian team since 2004.

Her best result at continental level was a silver medal back in 2007, and her opponent on Day 4 was Poland’s golden favourite, and AIBA Women’s World Championships silver medallist Sandra Kruk.

The Polish boxer tried to reduce the distance between them, but Egner’s counter-attacks reached the target several times, and her excellent footwork caused a small surprise for the experienced Norwegian lady.

One to watch
Romania’s AIBA Women’s Junior World Championships bronze medallist Florina Marinela Radu is only 19, but she has experience at the elite level following her participation in the last edition of the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao in 2012.

The Romanian Light Heavyweight class (81 kg) boxer was highly motivated in front of the home crowd, and exceeded her expectations in the quarter-finals where she triumphed over Netherlands’ favourite Strandja Memorial Tournament winner Maxine Koelemeij in a hectic bout which ended by split decision in favour of Radu.

Fact/stat of the day
Four nations secured further medals in the EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships in Bucharest.

The Hungarian delegation has already got three medals in the championships following AIBA Women’s Youth World Champion Petra Szatmari’s triumph on Day 4.

Quote of the day“I knew it was going to be a hard fight because my Polish opponent claimed a silver medal in the last AIBA Women’s World Championships in China. I knew she is strong and always moving forward in her contests. My tactic was built up to my footwork and speed and sometimes I had to fight inside in short distance. I am happy winning my today’s bout and looking forward to fight again tomorrow,” commented Ingrid Egner after her victory.